Who can weave my tartan?

**Mel1721L** · 28th January 16, 02:53 PM

I have been given permission from Wales Tartan Centre to have my Powell tartan woven in a heavier wool. Is there anyone who can do that at a reasonable price. Plus make the kilt? I'm thinking only 6 yards?

**The Wizard of BC** · 28th January 16, 03:17 PM

I can tell you from experience
That if you want anything other than very light weight or silk woven as single width -
Or you are willing to commission a hand weaver -
That the absolute minimum amount of fabric that any of the UK based Tartan weaving companies is willing, or able, to do is 11 meters of double-width fabric. Most require much more than that as a minimum. One weaving company keeps telling me that the absolute minimum order that they can fit on their looms is 65 meters. Truthfully I don't think that mill wants to do custom runs at all.

FYI - 11 meters is just under 3 kilts worth.

**Cygnus** · 28th January 16, 05:59 PM

I registered my own tartan sometime ago and was getting ready to have it woven when I was laid low by health problems and the ensuing costs...

As Steve said, I was looking at enough tartan to last me my lifetime (unless I decided to upholster all my furniture in it as well), which I am fine with. If your tartan isn't as exclusive as a personal tartan, your best bet is probably to get together a number of people that want some and order it all together.

If you're dead set on a small run, Matt Newsome at New House Highland has been known to do kilts in custom tartans, though I know he's not taking orders now while he catches-up on his queue. USA Kilts will also do custom-woven kilts, but they all appear to be eight-yard kilts.

It's not going to be cheap, but the group order is probably best as the more you order, the less you'll pay per metre!

**Mel1721L** · 29th January 16, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by Cygnus

I registered my own tartan sometime ago and was getting ready to have it woven when I was laid low by health problems and the ensuing costs...

As Steve said, I was looking at enough tartan to last me my lifetime (unless I decided to upholster all my furniture in it as well), which I am fine with. If your tartan isn't as exclusive as a personal tartan, your best bet is probably to get together a number of people that want some and order it all together.

If you're dead set on a small run, Matt Newsome at New House Highland has been known to do kilts in custom tartans, though I know he's not taking orders now while he catches-up on his queue. USA Kilts will also do custom-woven kilts, but they all appear to be eight-yard kilts.

It's not going to be cheap, but the group order is probably best as the more you order, the less you'll pay per metre!

I'd need to find a load of Welsh Powells who want to wear kilts. Not very promising I guess.

**Cygnus** · 29th January 16, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by Mel1721L

I'd need to find a load of Welsh Powells who want to wear kilts. Not very promising I guess.

Do you have any family that might be interested? If not, you could always post a thread here asking if there's any interest or even check-out some of the various genealogy forums online for Welsh Powells that might be interested in a combined run.

If not, it sounds like short lengths are more of a possibility than I thought!

Good luck!

**Mel1721L** · 31st January 16, 03:13 AM

Originally Posted by Cygnus

Do you have any family that might be interested? If not, you could always post a thread here asking if there's any interest or even check-out some of the various genealogy forums online for Welsh Powells that might be interested in a combined run.

If not, it sounds like short lengths are more of a possibility than I thought!

Good luck!

Thanks for the suggestion but I think if anything I'll just get the cloth from the Wales Tartan Centre, it is the cheapest option.

**Barb T** · 28th January 16, 06:26 PM

I have had very good experience with D C Dalgiesh for single kilt lengths of heavy weight custom woven tartan. I've had 6 kilt lengths woven in the past year, and the most recent just arrived a couple weeks ago. They've all been beautiful, and I've had absolutely no issues of any kind. It's not cheap, but if you need just one kilt length, it's the way to go, in my experience. An 8-yard kilt length, delivered, currently runs $550-600.

**Steve Ashton** · 28th January 16, 07:17 PM

I cannot confirm nor deny this from 25 Mar 2015 as I do not use Dalgliesh fabric. But there are some pretty well known and respected names joining in on this facebook discussion.

Paul Henry, Lady Chrystel, (our own figheadair) Peter MacDonald, & Robin Elliot among three former employees. And our own Alan H. states that he is a personal eye witness.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.p..._comment_reply

**Mel1721L** · 29th January 16, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by Barb T

I have had very good experience with D C Dalgiesh for single kilt lengths of heavy weight custom woven tartan. I've had 6 kilt lengths woven in the past year, and the most recent just arrived a couple weeks ago. They've all been beautiful, and I've had absolutely no issues of any kind. It's not cheap, but if you need just one kilt length, it's the way to go, in my experience. An 8-yard kilt length, delivered, currently runs $550-600.

Worth asking. Do you have a contact link please?

**Mel1721L** · 29th January 16, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

I can tell you from experience
That if you want anything other than very light weight or silk woven as single width -
Or you are willing to commission a hand weaver -
That the absolute minimum amount of fabric that any of the UK based Tartan weaving companies is willing, or able, to do is 11 meters of double-width fabric. Most require much more than that as a minimum. One weaving company keeps telling me that the absolute minimum order that they can fit on their looms is 65 meters. Truthfully I don't think that mill wants to do custom runs at all.

FYI - 11 meters is just under 3 kilts worth.

I feared that may be the case.